Bye-bye 2G: Singapore telcos to stop services April 2017

  • 2G spectrum to be redeployed for 3G and 4G services
  • ‘Extremely small percentage’ of customers on 2G-only devices
Bye-bye 2G: Singapore telcos to stop services April 2017

M1, Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) and StarHub will stop all 2G (Second Generation) mobile services in Singapore with effect April 1, 2017.
 
This will apply to 2G voice, messaging and data services, the three said in a joint statement.
 
Mobile networks have evolved since the launch of 2G service in 1994, and Singapore’s extensive modern 3G and 4G mobile networks have led to high smartphone ownership and usage rates, they said.
 
To cater for consumers’ increased demand for mobile data and faster access speeds, the spectrum currently used for 2G will be used to provide faster and more advanced 3G and 4G services.
 
In the last few years, mobile operators have been conducting outreach programmes to encourage customers to migrate to newer networks.
 
Today, the majority of mobile customers are on 3G and 4G networks, and only an “extremely small percentage” of customers remains on 2G-only mobile devices, the three companies said.
 
The mobile operators will continue to reach out to affected 2G users through various channels as relevant, including SMS, calls and posters at their retail outlets, in the run-up to the 2G network closure, the telcos said.
 
A wide range of 3G and 4G handsets is also available at different price points to enable customers to migrate to newer networks conveniently, they added.
 
Customers on 2G-only handsets will need only to place their SIM cards into a 3G or 4G device to enjoy 3G/4G service immediately, and those using 3G and 4G handsets will not be affected.
 
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Singapore telcos’ Q1 shows signs of weaker growth ahead
 
 
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